Flanged tube coupling



Jan. 2, 1951 1. cowLEs A 2,536,354

FLANGED TUBE COUPLING Filed June 27, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l li I f/ il?INVENToR.

fraz @610/ e5 NW@ /j/ fa/vz z/ Jan. 2, 1951 l. cowLEs 2,536,354

FLANGED TUBE COUPLING Filed June 27, 194e s sheets-sheet 2 gfffff/y///;@ggf INVENTOR. Kraay@ 63a/ e5 Z Hyg E J Patented Jan. 2, 1951 UNITEDSTATES PATENT GFFICE FLANGED TUBE COUPLING Irving Cowles, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 27, 1946, Serial No. 679,612

9 Claims. l y

This invention relates to improvements in all metal conduits whereinflanged metal tubing is used, and, more particularly, in couplingsadapted to be incorporated into such conduits in various embodiments tomeet all of the requirements of such conduits as to high and lowpressures and then' use as to all types of fluids and liquids to bepassed therethrough.

The main general object of this invention is to provide a very simple,cheap and eiiicient conduit wherein the couplings aforesaid are small,light, compact and strong and are proof against loosening under thecombined influences of vibration and temperature changes and includemeans whereby the vibrations of the tubing are absorbed and preventedfrom concentrating at vulnerable points at which such vibration causescrystallization and fractures of the tubing.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a coupling wherein aresilient split sleeve functioning to engage the conduit tube bycontraction and distortion of said sleeve is embodied and sointerengaged with other elements as to be capable of expansion andresumption of its normal shape without restriction or resistance uponrelease of the force which eilects its contraction.

Another object of the invention is to render parts of the said couplingsto be used interchangeable with other parts to adapt such couplings tomeet a variety of needs of the conduits of which they form parts,thereby to reduce the cost of tooling up, and producing the same andrequirements of manufacturers and dealers with respect to maintainingstocks on hand of a variety of said couplings to meet demands ofpurchasers, as fully explained hereinafter.

Other objects of the invention are either pointed out specifically orwill be readily comprehended by persons skilled in the art to which theinvention relates.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a radial longitudinal sectional View of a partially completedcoupling constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the coupling of the lattercompleted and disposed in iluidtight association with a tube.

Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. l and 2, respectively, showinganother embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 5 and 6 are views similar to Figs. 3 and 4, respectively,illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 is an end elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the split sleeve ofthe structure shown in Figs.. 1 to 4 inclusive;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side view, partly in section, of the splitsleeve shown in Fig. 7.

Figs. 9 and 10 are views similar to Figs. 7 and 8, respectively, showingthe split sleeve of the coupling of Figs. 5 and 6.

Figs. 11 and 12 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2, respectively,illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 13 and 14 are views similar to Figs. 11 and 12, respectively,showing still another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary radial sectional view, on an enlarged scale,illustrating in an exaggerated manner parts of the structure of Figs. 13and 14 in their initial relative positions.

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. l5 showing the same parts in theirfinal relative positions.

The structures of Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, illustrate embodiments of thecoupling of this invention to be associated with tubing of high pressuretype, while Figs. 5 to 14 inclusive, illustrate embodiments of theinvention for association with low pressure type tubing.

All of the couplings illustrated embody the principles illustrated anddescribed in prior patents to applicant, but mainly Patent No.2,389,233. issued Nov. 20, 1945,and Patent No. 2,320,813.

The coupling of the aforesaid first-named patent is adapted for use onlyin low pressure conduits without necessitating a substantial increase`in size and weight of the structure, whereas, in the instant invention,the diametric dimensions of the sleeve nut of the coupling need to bevery much less larger for high pressure uses than is true of thecoupling of the said patent, and this applies also to the lengths of therespective sleeve nuts.

Patent No. 2,320,813 illustrating an intended high pressure structure isalso referred to and distinguished from the present invention asparticularly explained hereinafter.

In the structure of Figs. 1 and 2, the coupling comprises the sleevenutI equipped with an integral terminal flange 2 which presents an innerannular shoulder 3 of frusto conical form (hereinafter referred to astapered) the surface of which extends at an angle of thirty degrees to aplane perpendicular to its axis in the instance illustrated, said anglehaving been found most desirable but being subject to appreciable changewithout serious detriment to eiiiciency of the structure.

The internally threaded mouth portion 4 of said nut I is of far largerdiameter than the threaded end of the seat fitting 5 upon which the tube6 seats, the smooth bore 'I of the nut I being of progressivelydecreasing diameter from said thread of the mouth portion to its meetingwith the shoulder 3 of the flange 2.

A dished washer 8, split sleeve 9 and a tube flange engaging ring memberI0 (hereinafter referred to as the flare ring) are inserted into thesleeve nut I before the sleeve Il is inserted, the latter being ofsmaller inner diameter :at its outer end portion than the remainder ofits length` able relative to each rotatably and longitudinally of thenut l.

The flare ring progressively increasing inner diameter which receives aportion of the flange of thetubeti.

The said ring lli is of greatestfdiarneterfatits` mouth and ofprogressively decreasing diameter to the annular inner corner recess l2Which-presents the annular cylindrical shoulder borderingthe'annularinner end surfaceY i3 which is pen pendicular to theaxis-ofthe ring iii.l

The split sleeve S is equipped withi'a single longitudinal slotextending from end toend thereofand includesthe annular flange lli. Thelatter presents the taperedV shoulder l opposed to the Washer 8interposed betweenthe same and the shoulder s of. the nut. The taper oithe shoulder i5 ldiilers 'from that of the shoulder 3 by three degrees,in the instance illustrated, the washer v-Sbeing dished to-presentparallel. surN faces'which may difier'slightly inangular in-v clinationfrom both shoulders -3 and. i5 Vor ,equal to, the taper of :either onethereof.

Inpthe absence ofthe washer 8, the shoulders Siand i5 would meet alongthe peripheryv of the latter;A Therpresence of` the Washer 8 effectingno change in the performance of thefunctionY of said shoulders.

Thefinner end surfaceV l'of the-.flange -Is is also taperedat an angleof; threedegrees .to a plane perpendicular tothe split sleeve axis, inthis instance,` toV correspond Awith the difference vintapers-of theshoulders 3 and l5 but said surface I6 meetsgthe Opposed end surface ofthe ringgliifalong'the smallest diameter portion of the surface It.-V

The latteris bordered by the` annular iiange Il Which-is-ofgreaterinnerdiameter than the surface A0i the recess l2 ropposedthereto.'

The washerf and sleeve dare ,composed ofre. silient metal, the bore ofthe sleeve 9 being cylindr-ical oi?V diameter slightly in excess ,offthe outer Vdiameter of the tube t .of greatest ,tolern ance diameterspecified tobe acceptable.

The inner diameter of the `flange il' is somuch in excess ofthe-diameter of theannularshoul- -l der opposed thereto and which.operates to limit the degree tolwhich :the flange M of thev sleeve 9-may be contracted, to permitY the vcontraction of the innermost endportion of theflange le.

toa diameter slightly less than that ofthe tube 6,.the width of slot.orY gap in the tube il being sulicient to avoid itsclosurewhentheflange il' If the tube e is of specified diameter of onehalf inch,V thetoleranceV allowances applicable thereto maybe plus .or minus tenthousandths of Van inch, and,therefore, thev degree to which` the liangel may becontracted is xedby the smallest tolerance. diameter tube S'usedfplua for example, another `iive thousandths of kanlinch to Iallovvfor that degree of contraction of, thesaid tube, such' contractionbeing,shown" at .i8 `in 4flange I1.

i il presents amonth'porticnfof isengaged with the said shoulder opposedytherer ACR Obviously every part of the sleeve 9, from its innermost toits outermost end, resists contraction. The latter being eileeted bydistortion of Vflange 9 by pressure exerted, substantiallylongitudinally thereofuntilv thelendsurface of the ring IB meets theopposed surface It and,

the saine time, the shoulders 3 and I1 become parallel with each other,said sleeve t operates-asa very powerful compression spring.

'line force4 of the latter is exerted against the iiange of the nut andthus places a heavy stress en the threads oithe same and the iitting 5which causes such strong frictional resistance to theirY relativerotation that the nut will not loosen under the combined influences ofvibration land temperature; changes.:

As distinguished'vrom the Vstructure .ofthe pat-L. ents [referredtoabove, the; above described Y structure presents several advantages in:thatthe ringle is notvreaniedout atthe end opposed to the split sleeveand, thereforais stronger and cheaper. lAnother advantage lies` in, thefact Y that in the instant structure, theangedxinner end of the :splitsleeve does` not become setto thexsame'degree as the tapered end of thesplit sleeve of "Patent No. 2,389,233, and also. inY that there' isnofrictional resistanceoiered. to.: ex.-` pension -of the split sleevecomparable withvv that incident `to the projection of the tapered noseend ofthe last-mentionedsplit sleeve into the `Viiare ring.

The'degree of springorce exerted upon the` nut i and tting dof theinstant structureis determined, mainly, by the volume of lmetal con-.Vtained in the ilange I4 and this can be increased by lengthening saidilange and shortening theV flare ring to an eXtentno greater thanthere-V` quired expansion stress resistance oifthelatter will permit.

As pointed out in the specicationof the laste. mentioned patent, thesplit-sleeve of fthe latter takes a set to a degree makin'git necessaryto torce the-tube lthroughV the saine 4when removing -said tubeforreplacement 'byanothen- It' is Aobvious also that the split ring of saidPatent No. 2,389,233 is-omitted and the -undercuttngot the nutV boreisalso avoided; Y

Another advantage liesin the fact `that -While the structure of thelast-mentioned patent may be incorporated into a'high pressure couplingby increasing the diametric dimensions of all parts thereofV withoutother changes,=these increases Will beV greaterthan in the instantcoue1-ally, plus that "of providing aclosure for thev enlarged bore of theearlier patent (see Figs. 3v

and 4 of this application) which will not yield tothe force A whichcould not be withstoodY by the inturned flange of the nut of Fig. ivof'sa'me'.

in assembling v a conduit. Y v

' Allfofv; these advantages :resultin appreciable` Fig. 2 Yoffthedrawings or this application illustrates the conduit parts completedYandas-u "sembled l The structure of Figs.l 3 and 4-diiers from-.thatof'Figs. l and 2 in no respect otherwise than that the mouth portionof4the lnutlais equipped* with an integral thread to engagethat ofgthiitting; that the same identical parts it, 9 and 8 are inserted in thatorder into said nut la before the threaded sleeve ila is inserted andsecured rigidly in place by a swaging operation as explained above withrespect to the sleeve l i.

The structure of Figs. 5 and 6 is identical, mainly, with that ci Figs.3 and Ll, the only distincticn from latter lying in type of split sleeveused.

The split sleeve of Figs. l to i is shown in Figs. 7 and 8, while thatincorporated in and substituted for the sleeve in Figs. 5 and 6 is shownin Figs. 9 and 10.

Conduits of the type shown in Figs. 5 and 6 are used in therefrigeration art and must provide ample drainage of Water ofcondensation from the couplings in order to overcome breakages incidentto the freezing of such water within said couplings.

To this end the sleeve 2li is equipped with a cylindrical bore from itsouter extremity to a point between its ends corresponding in diameterwith the bore of the sleeve 9, the said bore being of progressivelygreater diameter from the inner end of said cylindrical bore to andthrough the flange 2l. The latter and the nut shoulder opposed theretoare identical with the flange i4 and shoulder 3 of Figs. 1 to 4, but,because of the increased inner diameter of the flange 2l, the latterremains spaced slightly from the tube 6 when the conduit is assembled,as shown in Fig. 6, but as the contraction of said flange 2| iseffected, the inner end of the cylindrical bore portion of the sleeve2i) is contracted to engage the tube 6, and, as the said contractioncontinues until the flange il engages the opposed annular shoulders, theouter end portion of the split sleeve is expanded to become spacedprogressively farther from the tube, while the pressure of the middleportion of the split sleeve upon the tube 6 is increased.

As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the sleeve 2l) is equipped with one slot 22extending from end to end thereof and additional slots 23 extending fromits outer extremity to but not through the flange 2|. Unless aplurality, preferably a total of not less than e slots shown areprovided, the expansion of the outer end portion of said sleeve 20 willnot occur.

The normally free space within the coupling nut la of Fig. 6 has a ventthrough the slot 22 and, because the innermost ends of the slots 23communicate with the annular space bordered by the flange 2! when theconduit assembly is completed, drainage occurs through them also.

Openings 24 in the nut la afford drainage of all other free space withinthe nut.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate a lov pressure conduit which diilers fromthose of Figs. 1 to 4 only as to diametric dimensions, mainly, the nutlb being a unitary member having an undercut bore portion between theilange 2b thereof and its threaded mouth portion, the opposed shoulders3b and 15b, and of the end surface of the flare ring I lib and shoulderith corresponding as to angular relation to each other as in thestructures of Figs. 1 to 4.

In the structure of Figs. 13 and 14, and as best illustrated in Figs. 15and 16, the flange 2c of the nut Ic (which corresponds with the nut Ibof Figs. 11 and l2) is equipped with an inner shoulder 3c, correspondingin taper with the shoulder 3 of Figs. 1 to 4. The flange lee of thesplit sleeve 9c is equipped with tapered shoulders iEc and |60, theflare ring I llc having an end surface perpendicular to its axis.

In this structure, the recess I2 and the flange il of Figs. 1 to 4 areomitted because, due to the greater length proportionately to thediameter of the iiange Mc than is true of the structures of Figs. 1 toli, the said iiange cannot be contracted with suiiicient force to effectany contraction of the tube E, but is merely brought into iirmengagement therewith as shown in Fig. 14.

The washer 8c interposed between the shoulders 3c and Ic is normallyfiat and is composed of resilient metal, and, as shown in Figs. 15 and16, wherein the degree of taper of said lastnamed shoulders and endsurface or shoulder itc is exaggerated for purpose of better illustra`tion, said washer becomes dished as the sleeve nut le is tightened tocomplete the conduit assembly. Said washer thus acts as a relativelypowerful spring, the force of the same being added to the spring forceof the split sleeve 9c to increase frictional resistance to the relativerotation of the nut ic and the iitting 5c in either direction and thusconstitutes an aid in the prevention of such rotation anticlockwise toprevent loosening of the nut I c under the iniluence of vibration andtemperature changes.

As pointed out in the aforesaid patents, the split sleeves of all of theabove described structures serve to absorb or dampen vibration stresseson the tube 6 to prevent the same: from concentrating upon the point ofengagement of the said sleeve with said tube 5 or upon the point ofjunction of the flange of the tube 5 with the body of same.

In all instances wherein the innermost end portion of the split sleeveeffects contraction of the tube, as in Figs. 2, 4, and 12, said sleeveoperates to relieve the hanged end portion of the tube t of at least agreat part of tension and tortional stress to which it is subjected insome instances.

The main distinction of the present invention from the prior lies in theprovision of the at end surface of the flare ring in combination withthe opposed end shoulder of the split sleeve and the opposed surfaces orshoulders of the flange of the nut and the shoulder of the flange of thesplit sleeve opposed thereto, whereby resistance to expansion or returnof the split to its normal shape is eliminated as the sleeve nut becomesloose.

The above distinction also comprehends that in the prior patentsabove-named, the nose end portion of the split sleeve is required tomove longitudinally, relative to the flare ring, to the point at whichthe same has expanded sufficiently to release the tube to permit thelatter to be moved toward the mouth of the sleeve nut, thus requiring agreater number of rotations of the latter, anti-clockwise, than in thestructure of the instant invention before the tube is so released.

I claim as my invention:

1. A hanged tube coupling comprising a hitting equipped with a seat forthe tube flange, a sleeve nut engageable with said tting and equippedwith an internal annular fla-nge, a are ring loosely mounted within saidnut to seat upon the tube flange at one end and presenting a iiatannular other end shoulder perpendicular to its axis, a resilientcontractible split sleeve projecting through the nut ilange and equippedwithin said nut with an annular ilange presenting an annular shoulderopposed to the inner annular y.othew I e 3.; A structureyiaccording toshoulderfof: the vnutiflange and with anannular. terminal shoulderopposed tothefend 'surfaceofy saiddlare ring; saidV .shoulders .ofthe/split sleeve flange` being-tapered in frespectively; reverse .orderl Wlthlthe. smallest diameterportion ofi the; innerend,shoulderffoppose'cl toi innermost" portion of. the Y yring-1shoulder,'s and'the v*greatest diameter pore tioniof` thefoth'erflange'. shoulder opposed to .the

nut"flang,e',fthe` inner shoulder of the latter vbeingfvtaperedangularlyto the opposed shoulder equally withthe taperzof :saidterminal shoulderof the split: sleeve relative'to the flat ringshoulder.

2.- A 'fstrueturm according Ito claim 1 wherein the :opposedzpairs ofVshoulders are disposed at anangle of'substantially three degrees---to.each

the'fiareA ringzshoulderis.bordered by an annularv recessV andtheflangelofrthe splitsleeve'is borderedy bytaperipherahange ofnorn'xally greater, diam;

eter.' than thefsmallest diameter fportion of said.

recess' fior cooperation :withfthe flatterv to .ilimit' thedegree -to'Whiclrthe .ange of'said split sleeve* isfcontractible'. v

Y 452A fstructureaaccording toclaim` 1,A wherein.

and whereinV the flare ringshoulder is Abordered'by anlrannular recessand itiie .flange of'v the splits1eeve'1isbordered by a peripheral'angeof nor.- mally greater ldiameter `than thesmallest diamL veterhportion"of saidV recess for `cooperation withthelatter to limit the degreeVtofwhichitl-ne iiange of said split sleeve' iscontractible.

5. A structure, according to claim 1,- Wherein thefsplit' sleeve isequipped-withal, cylindrical bore portion alongits' outer end and'with aflared bore portionmeeting said cylindricalbore portion andextending--thr'oughv its flange.y

6;? A structure; according to claim" 1, wherein: th'esplitsleeve isvequipped with a cylindric'aiboreV portion of greater diameter than saidtube-and'V with Lla flared bore portion'meetin'g said cylindri-Y ealboreportion and extending through its iiange; and iivhereinv means areincluded for causing `the 81 engage a tube andfbeoome aredalongsaid'cylin-x drical. boreeportionv as said splitsleeve isiconatractedthroughout its length whilefts `flanged end portion lremainsspaced from said tube.

7.. A structure, according to claim 1, wherein'fa- Y resilient metal:Washer is Vinterposed between'tthe ange of. the sleeve nut. and theshoulder.`ofthe,

flangeof the split ring. opposed thereto; the shape of said washerbetween its periphery and its ceri-` trai opening differing normallyfrom'` the shapes of `:'either`- of the shoulders opposed itheretofandbeing flexed to occupy all 'space' betweenthe lat` ter as the saidsleeve nut attains the limit of-its claim l; wherein` the oppo'sedpairsof shoulders aredisposed atanvr angle of substantially threedegreestoeachother,

smallest innerr `diameter/of said split-)sleeve to' abovernentioned.

movement" relative to the said fitting.

8.A structure, 'according to claim 1, wherein the Ssleeve nutislequipped at .one endl with'ja threaded sleeve'finserted thereinto.and wherein' the endvportion of the sleeve nut containing said` sleeveis contracted in part to render said sleeve non-rotatable: relativeito'said nut,

9. `.istructureI according to-clairn 1, wherein: the sleeve-nutis-equipped between its ends with.

arbore portion'of 'greater diameter than the v`end portion thereofvngageable with 'said fitting andA whereinthe nare ring-is of largerouter diameter.`

than fsaidlast-named endportion of said sleeveY nut; the Vouter endportion of the latter beingv threaded `internallyand being ofLdiameterrtoreceive-said flare ring `and van externally threaded sleeveengaged in the said outer` end portion of;` said nut againstlrotation-relative thereto, saidir sleeve constituting a substitutev fora flange in;`

tegrai with said nut and shaped at its inner end tof-performthe function'of the nutflange first IRVING'COWLIESVv EEFRENCESCITED" Y The`followingy referencesVare-of record in the. le Yof this patent:

UNITED. vSFAfFElS PATENTS Name Date Cdwlers Nov. 20,1945

Number

